International Women’s Day – Celebrating Women Globally

“Let us devote solid funding, courageous advocacy and unbending political will to achieving gender equality around the world. There is no greater investment in our common future.”

— UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon

Today we join millions around the world to celebrate the achievements of women globally. The United Nation’s 2016 theme for International Women’s Day is “Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality”

The theme emphasizes the need to foster the implementation of sustainable goals per the 2030 Agenda.

Per the UN, some of the key Agenda 2030 targets include:

By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and Goal-4 effective learning outcomes.

By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and preprimary education so that they are ready for primary education.

End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere.

Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.

Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation.

You can also celebrate this day by joining the International Women’s Day Organization and leaders across the world by pledging to take action as an ambassador of gender parity. Take the pledge here.